BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of October 30, 2007

 

The Board met at 8:50 a.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present for a staff meeting to discuss various projects and scheduling, and to give updates on attendance at various meetings, with no action taken.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

George Holt presented a petition signed by citizens opposing a casino in Cascade Locks or Hood River and advised of potential impacts a casino would have in the Gorge.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of the petition.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of October 23, 2007.

2.      Notice of completion of Public Works contract with DeWitt Construction, Inc for the Rock Creek Bridge Protection Project.

3.      Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from Jeffrey David Jones.

4.      Acknowledge receipt of Claim for Damages from CMR Claims TPA for Verizon.

5.      Set public hearing for 5:30 PM Tuesday, November 20, 2007 to consider Ordinance 2007-11 amending SCC Title 12, Chapter 12.03 Private Road Requirements and Resolution 2007-34 adopting Road Approach and Private Roads Standards Development Assistance Manual.

6.      Agent of Record Letter appointing BCI Group, Inc to act as Agent of Record for the group life insurance plan(s) held by Skamania County.

7.      Letter of agreement with TDJ CPA to train Auditor’s Office staff to reconcile Software and Treasurer Office data; and for compilation of cash basis Financial Statements and State Auditor’s Office required schedules for the period ending December 31, 2007.

8.      Contract with Northwest Geophysical Associates, Inc to conduct geophysical investigation at the Piper Road Landslide.

9.      Contract amendment #2 with Petersen Brothers, Inc to include replacement of guardrail damaged by the Broughton Wildfire and to increase the amount by $9,719.20.

 

Larry Douglass, Public Works Director reported on the Rock Creek Slide, Conveyance Project, and Timber Removal Project, private road standards, US Forest Service and Federal Highways roads in need of safety repairs, Engineering projects, County Road projects, ER&R, Building Department, and Solid Waste.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 10:30 a.m. until 10:55 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 Preliminary Budget workshop with WSU Cooperative Extension, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 11:55 a.m. until 12:10 p.m., with no action taken.

 

 

The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board considered a request from SDS Company, LLC for a comprehensive plan change and rezone of approximately ½ of its approximately 106 acre parcel of land located on the west side of Carson located on the south side of Eyman Cemetery Road, tax lot number 03-08-20-0400-00.  Mark Mazeski, Senior Planner gave a staff report, advised that current comprehensive plan designation and zoning designation allows for a 5-acre minimum lot size and the proposal is to change to High Density Residential with a ½ acre minimum lot size, and also advised that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the comprehensive plan change and rezone.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the comprehensive plan change and rezone request as recommended by the Planning Commission.

The meeting recessed at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2007 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Jill Arens, Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) Director and Walt Loehrke, CRGC Member discussed CRGC 2-year Work Plan.  Discussion included the Indicators Project, Future Forum follow-up, an update on the Broughton Project, and truck traffic in the Scenic Byway.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, 2007 and reconvened at 9:20 a.m. Wednesday, October 31, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Public Works to discuss enforcement issues, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding litigation from 10:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Planning and Community Development to discuss National Scenic Area code changes, Department of Ecology exempt well moratorium, and Public Recreation Facilities, with no action taken.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Recreation and Facilities Director to discuss job descriptions, holiday open house, and Rock Creek Community Services Building/Health Department, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 12:35 p.m. until 12:45 p.m., with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 31, 2007 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director and Charly Boyd of Advanced Planning Solutions to discuss a draft ordinance for a Carson Flood Control Zone District, with no action taken.

 

The meeting recessed at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, October 31, 2007 and reconvened at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2007, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Tova Cochrane, Manager for Underwood Conservation District gave an overview of the District’s assistance to rural landowners for forestry, livestock, wildlife, stormwater and flood issues.  She advised that not all requests for assistance qualify under grants and requested $15,000 in the upcoming fiscal year to fund district operations to provide services to landowners in Skamania County.  The Board advised they would further discuss the request during an upcoming budget workshop.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to direct the Department of Planning and Community Development  to accept and process a National Scenic Area application from Ira Martin, on behalf of Wind River Resorts, on parcel number 03-08-27-0-0-0800-00 with regards to Public Recreation Uses such as RV sites and campgrounds that are open to the public.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign a letter to Brian Litt, Planning Manager for the Columbia River Gorge Commission regarding the County’s regarding adoption of two amendments, PA-06-04 and PA-06-05, to the Management Plan.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve corrections to a series of funding/bars numbers for Resolution 2007-22 Supplemental Budget #1 for 2007 approved on June 26, 2007 and Resolution 2007-43 Supplemental Budget #3 for 2007 approved on October 25, 2007.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a voucher to the Department of Labor and Industries in the total amount of $119.29.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending November 1, 2007 in the total amount of $184,387.00.

 

The Board participated in a workshop with the Auditor to discuss a payroll software program and personnel, with no action taken.

 

The Board met with Jay McLaughlin, Executive Director for Mt Adams Resource Stewards and Peggy Bryan, Executive Director for Skamania County Economic Development Council to discuss biofuels.  Discussion included community forestry and the need to establish a collaborative group to promote economic development in Skamania County.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:50 a.m. Thursday, November 1, 2007 and reconvened at 11:05 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Rick McClure, Forest Archeologist for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest gave a presentation regarding history of Wind River Nursery and the historical structures on the site.

 

The Board participated in a 2008 budget workshop, with no action taken.

 

The Board met in executive session regarding personnel from 1:25 p.m. until 1:55 p.m., with no action taken.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve a revised job description and reclassification for the Community Events and Recreation Events Coordinator position at Range 15, effective November 1, 2007.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to change the pay rate for the Clerk of the Board position to a Range 18, effective October 1, 2007.

 

Commissioner Pearce moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a reclassification of the Licensing Deputy to Licensing and Accounting Coordinator at Range 17 effective October 1, 2007, change the pay rate for the Chief Deputy Auditor position to Range 19, effective October 1, 2007, and change the pay rate for the Auditor’s Accountant position to Range 18, effective October 1, 2007.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON